December 19, 2008
Before I head home for my long winter's nap (vacation), I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year!  The kids are filled with so much excitement.  Over the past few weeks, we have discussed many holiday celebrations.  One common thread is "family."  May you enjoy this special time with your families (and friends).

The pictures from The Great Gingerbread Man Hunt and Polar Express Day are on Photos page.  ENJOY!!

See you in 2009!!
Michelle Gagné


December 2, 2008
Holiday Greetings, Everyone!
The kindergartners can't wait for the flakes to start falling (again) and for Santa's arrival!

The "Pilgrims" and "Indians" had a wonderful time at our feast last week.  Stop by the Photo Album to check out the pictures!  Again, a huge thanks to all of the parents who helped during our "switch-a-roo" with Mrs. Ciolek's class and our feast.  We couldn't have done it without you.

This week we are reading many versions of the classic tale of the Gingerbread Man.  We will compare/contrast them and decide which book was our favorite.

Enjoy this special time of the year!
Michelle Gagné

November 4, 2008
It's Election Day!  Did you vote yet?  The kids will be participating in a mock election today.  We have been discussing the election and the two candidates for President.  It is going to be an exciting day!

In the Photo Album you will find pictures from our Halloween party last Thursday.  It was a "spook"tacular day!  A big thanks to all the parents who helped make it a success.

It's hard to believe that a quarter of our year is over already.  We have been having so much fun and there is so much more to come!  Remember that kindergartners only get report cards twice a year (January and June).  Therefore, your child won't be bringing one home this Friday.  However, I am looking forward to discussing your child's progress at our upcoming conference.

Enjoy the beautiful weather and remember to vote!
Michelle Gagné

October 15, 2008
We had a wonderful time at the farm!!  We couldn't have had more perfect, beautiful weather.  The pictures from our fun day are on the Photos page.  Please stop by and take a peek.

I hope your child has logged onto the Earobics site to access the phonemic awareness software.  If not, please have your child do at least 2 sessions per week.  If you have misplaced your child's username and password, please let me know and I'll send home another copy.

Refresh button:  I wanted to remind you to always hit the "refresh" button (it looks something like the image pictured above) on your browser when you return to our website (on each page your visit).  Occasionally, updates don't show up unless you hit that button. 

Enjoy this beautiful season!
Michelle Gagné

October 3, 2008
Happy Fall!!  We are just beginning to see the first signs of this beautiful season. This week we sure got a taste of the cool, crisp weather!  The kindergartners are eagerly waiting for our field trip to Boyert's Farm.  The morning class will be going next Friday, October 10.  There will be no school that day for the afternoon class.  The afternoon class will be going on Monday, October 13.  There will be no school that day for the morning class.  Be sure to stop back after we return to see the pictures from our fun-filled day.  If you haven't returned your child's permission slip and the $6.00 fee (a check payable to Boyert's Farm), please do so by Monday, October 6.  If you need another slip, please go to the Newsletters page and print another. 

The pictures from Apple Day are on the Photos page.  Be sure to stop by and take a peek.

Enjoy the weekend!
Michelle Gagné

September 12, 2008
We are off to a terrific start to our year!  The kids are doing a fantastic job getting into the "swing of things!"  We are having a lot of fun getting to know one another! 

Refresh button:  I wanted to remind you to always hit the "refresh" button (it looks something like the image pictured above) on your browser when you return to our website (on each page your visit).  Occasionally, updates don't show up unless you hit that button. 

I have added the birthdays to the "Class" link and there are photos from phase-in and our first few days of school on the "Photos" page.  Additionally, if you misplace our monthly calendar or a newsletter, you can print a replacement by visiting the "Parents" page.  Lastly, you can download a copy of the 2008-2009 Hilton calendar on the "School" page.  Remember, there are occasions when dates are changed.

Have a fantastic weekend!
Michelle Gagné

August 13, 2008
A big, happy welcome to the new school year.  I would especially like to welcome the newest Brecksville Bees:  the kindergartners! I am very busy getting our classroom ready and can't wait to meet you in a few weeks.  Be on the look-out for something buzzing your way in the mail really soon. 

I now invite you to explore the website.  It got a make-over this summer and is ready to be explored.  Pretty soon, the Photo Album will have lots of pictures of the new kinders so be sure to stop back soon.

Enjoy the last couple weeks of summer!
Michelle Gagné

June 6, 2008
Look out summer...here we come!!!
I can't believe our year has come to an end.  We had a great time at our parties yesterday.  Visit the Photo Album to take a peek at the pictures.

Well, the room is packed and I am ready to go.  It was a great year and I am looking forward to next.  I will greatly miss the kids and hope they visit often.

Have a safe and happy summer!
Michelle Gagné

P.S.  I will not be updating the website again until August.  Stop back then to meet the new kindergartners!

May 14, 2008
It was a very special day on Friday for the kindergartners.  Thanks to all of the Moms and Grandmas who attended our Mother's Day Celebration.  I hope you enjoyed all of the special things the kids made for you and of course, the song!  The kids are still singing "A You're Adorable!"  Visit the Photo Album to take a peek at the pictures from the day...they are really sweet.

The morning kindergartners released their butterflies yesterday.  Luckily, it was a beautiful, sunny day.  They had so much fun in the Hilton Habitat and many of them were thrilled when a butterfly landed on them!  I created a page highlighting the event.  Visit the Photo Album and click on Bye-Bye Butterflies to view the pictures.  The afternoon class will be releasing the next batch of butterflies.  Currently, they are in the chrysalis stage. 

Our duck is still sitting on her nest outside.  It should be soon that we should see some ducklings!!

Just a reminder...next Wednesday, May 21 is our Butterfly Celebration.  See you then!

Michelle Gagné


May 6, 2008

We have a butterfly!!!  She hatched from her chrysalis last night or early this morning.  It was a wonderful surprise for the kids today!  Please visit the Photo Album and take a peek.  You will need to click on the Butterflies button.  Would you like to see a video of a Monarch butterfly hatching from its chrysalis?  Click on the butterfly below to follow the link.  It will take you to the video...it's really cool!! 


Michelle Gagné
 

April 25, 2008
The caterpillars have arrived!!!  The kids are beyond excited and are observing them closely.  Visit the Photo Album and click on the Butterflies link to take a peek at them.  You will be able to see them changing each day as they go through the phases of metamorphosis. 

Next week, I will be placing pictures of the kids with their butterfly buddies. 

We are looking forward to our Mother's Day Celebration coming up on May 9.

Have a great weekend!
Michelle Gagné

April 11, 2008
Spring is in the air!!  This past week has been beautiful.  The kids are so excited to be able to get outside and play!  I am excited because it marks the end of boots, gloves, hats and zippers!! 

We met with our third grade buddies last week for the first time and it went very well.  The kids look forward to getting together with them.  The morning class was quite disappointed yesterday because we had a power outage during their time in the computer lab.  We were able to go today to start our Kid Pix project.

Our caterpillars will be arriving the week of April 21.  I will have an "observation spot" on the Butterflies page (in the Photo Album) where you can watch them go through the phases of development.

I hope you have marked your calendars for all of our exciting upcoming dates:
May 9...Mother's Day Celebration
May 21...Butterfly Open House
May 22...AM Field Trip to the Zoo
May 23...PM Field Trip to the Zoo


Lastly, the Reading Road Trip and the Leprechaun Hunt pages are complete.  Please visit the Photo Album to take a peek.

Happy Spring!!
Michelle Gagné

March 14, 2008

Spring Greetings, Everyone!  It's been a long time since my last update.  With all of the short weeks we have had due to the snow days, I have been trying to catch up!

I am almost finished with the 100th day page and should have it up early next week.  I am also going to begin working on a page for Right to Read Week.  It was a great week and the kids enjoyed all of the activities.  Teachers, I am also almost finished completing the Class Books page...finally!

Enjoy your spring break.  Hopefully some of you will be able to get away and enjoy some warmer temperatures somewhere. 

Upon our return to school (on March 31), we will begin working on our collaborative butterfly unit with the third graders.  More information will be coming home soon.

Happy Spring (almost)!
Michelle Gagné

January 28, 2008
In only 7 more school days we will be celebrating our 100th day of kindergarten!  YIPPEE!  The kids are getting so excited to share their collections.  Open House is next Thursday, February 7.  All of the collections will be on display for all of the families to see. 

I have finished the BRRR! page.  Stop by the Photo Album to take a peek.

See you at Open House next week!
Michelle Gagné

January 18, 2008
BRRR!  We are in store for some chilly weather this weekend.  It's the perfect time for you to take a peek at the Snow Kids!  Visit the Photo Album to see them. 

We spent this week working on a snow unit.  We examined snow crystals and then conducted a science experiment where we got to see some growing.  The kids thought it was really "cool!"  I am almost finished with the BRRRR! page in the Photo Album.  You'll be able to see some pictures of them. 

Enjoy the long weekend and bundle up!
Michelle Gagné


January 8, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  The kindergartners are getting back into the swing of things! It was great hearing all about their vacations and of course, what Santa brought!

Take a peek at the Photo Album.  I have posted the pictures from The Great Gingerbread Man Hunt!

Stay Warm!
Michelle Gagné


December 20, 2007
Before I head home for my long winter's nap (vacation), I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year!  The kids are filled with so much excitement.  Over the past few weeks, we have discussed many holiday celebrations.  One common thread is "family."  May you enjoy this special time with your families.

See you in 2008!!
Michelle Gagné

P.S.  The pictures from Polar Express Day are on the Photo Album page.  Pictures from The Great Gingerbread Man Hunt and our Holiday Parties will be up after vacation.

December 5, 2007
Warm Holiday Wishes!
The kindergartners can't wait for the flakes to start falling and for Santa's arrival!!  The kids have made some wishes...please visit the Photo Album and click on "Dear Santa," to view them. 

On Friday, we will be boarding the "Polar Express" in our classroom for some fun with my favorite book.  Please be sure your child wears his/her pj's to join in the fun.  I will be placing some pictures from the day on Photo Album early next week.

Enjoy this very special time of the year!
Michelle Gagné


November 20, 2007
The Pilgrims and Indians had a wonderful time at our feast today.  Stop by the Photo Album to check out the pictures!

Have a wonderful, happy Thanksgiving!
Michelle Gagné

November 19, 2007

WOW!!! It has been a whirlwind of Thanksgiving activities around here!  We had two great days of "switch-a-roo's" with Mrs. Ciolek's class.  Tomorrow is our big feast!  The kids can't wait.  Today they decided if they will be a Pilgrim or an Indian.  Please stop by tomorrow to see the pictures.  They will be posted before I leave for the holiday break.

The Halloween pictures are posted on the Photo Album page.  The costumes are "spooktacular!"

On the Parents page, I added a link to a flashcard maker.  It looks like a great resource for you.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families!
Michelle Gagné
October 30, 2007
Hi again!  I just wanted to let you know that I finished the farm pages in the Photo Album today.  Stop by and take a peek at all the great pictures!!

Can't wait to see everyone's costumes tomorrow!!

Michelle Gagné
October 29, 2007
Happy Halloween!!! 
On Wednesday, the kids will be having their Halloween party at school.  We will be parading around the school prior to the parties for everyone to see our costumes.  Please be sure to read the newsletter coming home on Tuesday, October 30 for information regarding the costumes.

I am still sorting through all of the pictures from the farm.  Over 200 were taken!!!  I need to crop all of the them and then create the pages for the photo album.  They should be complete by the end of the week.

I did finish the Chicka Chicka and the Apple Fun pages in the Photo Album so be sure to stop by and take a peek!

Enjoy the fun week!!
Michelle Gagné
October 16, 2007
The morning kindergartners just returned from their trip to Boyert's Farm!  They had a lot of fun and I can't wait for you to see the pictures.  Check back later this week to view them.

Have a great week!
Michelle Gagné

October 11, 2007
A big sunny welcome to the 2007-2008 school year!  If this is your first visit to my website...welcome!!  If you are a returning visitor you can see the site has a whole new look.  Thanks so much for remaining patient while I worked out all of the major problems that I had along the way!

Enjoy your visit!
Michelle Gagné